- Germany edition
- Change edition:
- France |
- Norway |
- Spain |
- Sweden |
- Switzerland
'Don't act German or conform to German ways'
Published: 18 Feb 13 07:38 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/opinion/20130218-47919.html
In the latest instalment of My German Career, The Local spoke with Canadian business training expert Jason Chan about navigating Germany's job market and sticking to your guns in a foreign environment.
- Bayern wins, Dortmund loses ahead of CL Final (19 May 13)
- Two accused in neo-Nazi trial 'will talk' (17 May 13)
- Holiday travellers face traffic trouble (17 May 13)
Where are you located and what do you do?
I live in Erlangen with my German wife and two children but at the moment I am in China. I work for a German consultancy based in Frankfurt specialising in micro-lending. My official title is ‘Education and Training Expert’ which involves running training sessions at local Chinese financial institutes.
What brought you to Germany and how long have you been here?
Love. I met my German wife in Hong Kong about eight years ago and we decided to come to Germany instead of going home to Toronto.
How did you land your job?
I started out like many people here teaching English freelance, then I decided to get CELTA and LCCI DTBE certified, after that I went for my master's degree in Education while I was employed full-time at (electronics chain) Media-Saturn as the senior training specialist. Then it was the turning point in my career because after a few years I decided that it is time to leave the TEFL field and go into other areas of training. So I applied for and got a job at Mango as the training manager for DACH. Although the experience was short it gave me the confidence to pursue other training positions, which eventually led to my current employment.
Do you have tips for anyone seeking similar work and is it important to speak German in your position?
I don't have to speak German but it does help to build rapport with my German co-workers. Tips-wise, I think credentials are quite important here, I think without any certificates or degrees it might be difficult to land a job. Also, what I always try to do during the interview and recruitment process is be myself. I never try to act German and conform to the German ways, because I could never be as German as a local so I might as well sell myself as different. If they like it fine, if not, then that is not a good match anyways. Take it or leave it, that has always been my attitude job hunting in Germany.
What are the key differences practising your profession here and your home country?
In Canada and Hong Kong I was in a completely different industry. I worked in film production before so I can’t really compare.
What are the best and worst parts about working in Germany?
The best thing about working in Germany I find is the matter-of-fact attitude. Everything is more or less black and white, as compared to working in China where there is so much grey area. I honestly don’t have anything bad to say about working in Germany.
Do you plan on staying?
We bought a little house a couple of years ago and the kids love it here, so my guess is that I will be here for a few more years!
Want your German career featured on The Local? Contact us at: news@thelocal.de.
Interview conducted by Jessica Ware.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Did Merkel's politics hurt Germany at Eurovision?
Eurovision Song Contest favourite Denmark won the competition on Saturday night, while Germany plunged to 21st place – the worst showing in five years – amidst speculation that it was payback for Angela Merkel’s hated policies. READ () »
Police warn against high-tech Islamist attacks
The Federal Criminal Police Office is warning of a new type of Islamist terrorist threat from the air that could attack both passenger and cargo planes as well as airport facilities, the Welt am Sonntag newspaper reported. READ () »
Some fear inflation if small euro coins cut
European Union proposals to eliminate one and two cent euro coins is annoying some Germans, including a few at the Bundesbank, while others think an EU idea to introduce one and two-euro notes is a good one. READ () »
Boy dies at Tropical Islands swimming pool
A 15-year-old boy died on Saturday at the popular “Tropical Islands” swimming and entertainment centre outside of Berlin, the Bild newspaper reported. READ () »
Wagner descendant slams composer
As the musical world lavishly celebrates Richard Wagner's bicentenary, the composer's great-grandson insists he is no spoilsport by denouncing the German master as a narcissist, woman-hater and an anti-Semite. READ () »
Bayern wins, Dortmund loses ahead of CL Final
If Saturday’s play was any barometer of what may happen at the Champions League final this coming Saturday, then Borussia Dortmund should be very nervous indeed. READ () »
Most Germans optimistic about the future
Although less than 50 percent of Germans are optimistic about their current situation, more than half think their future will be better and the number of pessimists in the country dropped, a survey released on Saturday showed. READ () »
Organic food stores expand rapidly
Organic food and health stores are undergoing a hefty expansion in Germany, with the Vitalia chain taking over several locations from the bankrupt Schlecker drugstore chain in Munich alone. READ () »
- 16/05 'At his final heartbeat I knew I had to act' »
- 14/05 'It's time Germany got over its speed fetish' »
- 13/05 'Germans are nice thanks to my Ami accent' »
- 09/05 Beate Zschäpe: neo-Nazi of mystery »
- 07/05 'The NSU trial is an aim in itself' »
- 06/05 'Racism is in society's wallpaper' »
- 06/05 'You can get pension payments back' »
- 02/05 Boy - the world's smallest film star »
- 30/04 'Women give the Catholic church a future' »
- 25/04 'Messi? I want to be Germany's Ronaldo' »
- Burning ship had tonnes of radioactive material »
- 'LHighlights
Latest news from The Local in France- 19/05 Ancelotti praises 'great pro' Beckham »
- 19/05 Disgraced ex-minister abandons re-election bid »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
Latest news from The Local in NorwayMore news from Norway at thelocal.no
Latest news from The Local in SwedenMore news from Sweden at thelocal.se
Latest news from The Local in Switzerland- 19/05 Swiss lose to Swedes in hockey championships »
- 19/05 Swiss to face Sweden in world ice hockey final »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
See all ads | Join the Marketplace
-
Weiss Institut
Free yourself from Smoking addictions, Sugar craving and Alcohol addictions -
PsyShrink Frankfurt
The Expat Psychologists in Munich, Frankfurt and worldwide -
PsyShrink Munich
The Expat Psychologists in Munich, Frankfurt and worldwide -
Chambervelt Rooselain & Cie Ltd.
Insurance and financial planning for English speakers in Germany -
British Corner Shop
British Corner Shop - The online supermarket for expats -
Shiply Worldwide Ltd
Shiply the Online Transport Market Place
Jobs in Germany, in English784 jobs available
505 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today- Grid Modeling Expert (m/f) - Stellenausschreibung TenneT
- Market / Business Intelligence Leader (m/f)
- Analyst Predictive Maintenance (m/f)
- Trade Marketing Manager (f/m)
- Opportunity for Medical Information Scientists and Information Managers as Epidemiological Data M...
- Trainee to work in business development for Daimler Insurance Services
- Sales Professional (m/f)
- Finance Administrator (Account Payable & Travel Expenses)
- Customer Interaction Specialist for French, English (f/m)
- Marketingassistenz (w/m)
Blog- Apr/09 Touring Tempelhof – Europe’s Largest Historical Monument
- Apr/09 Spring in Berlin 2013 – Where, What Why and When!
- Mar/12 Living Like a Local – Tell us what you think and win a weekend in Berlin!
- Feb/04 Escaping the City – Our Recommended Suburban Getaways
- Feb/04 Berlin Tegel Airport Transfers – How to get into the City
EssentialsDating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.RegisterRegister now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discussNews from the Goethe-Institut- “Preserve the proven, shape the new” – the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart
For more than thirty years, Helmuth Rilling shaped the international Bach Academy; now he is succeeded by Hans-Christoph Rademann. - ‘Open Mike’ – Fireworks with the Buddha
The Berlin ‘Open Mike’ entered this year its twentieth edition. - On the Stage, the Spoken Word Prevails
In January 2013 the annual meeting of the Dramaturgical Society took place in Munich; its theme: “Speaking on Stage – and about Theatre”... - The Magician of Images – Klaus Ensikat
With the technique of an Old Master and subtle humour, the award-winning graphic designer and illustrator Klaus Ensikat has for fifty years produced ingenious illustrations for literary classics and children’s books.... - A Picture Every Day – Philip Waechter
Philip Waechter, son of the famous illustrator and cartoonist Friedrich Karl Waechter, is one of the best-known contemporary writers and illustrators of children’s books....
News from Young Germany- German first feature film in Cannes
A directorial debut from Germany makes it to the competition “Un Certain Regard” at the famous film festival on the Côte d’Azur. - Traveling Germany: Europa-Park
Think theme parks:Roller coasters, colorful rides, entertainment, thrills. Think Germany: Europa-Park is the largest amusement park in the country, second in Europe only to Disneyland Paris. - Frankfurt – the digital hub
The Internet hub in Frankfurt am Main is the largest in the world and places Germany in a leading position in the digital world. - The European Year of Citizens
2013 is the European Year of Citizens. They‘re invited to contribute their ideas for the EU, and to discover more about their rights as EU citizens. An example: labour mobility. - Neuschwanstein Castle: In Photos
Neuschwanstein is the most popular tourist attraction in Germany. And for good reason. King Ludwig II's castle looks like it fell out of a book of fairy tales.
News from DeutschlandOnline- Theatre festival between the Saar and the Mosel
The Festival Perspectives in the German-French region around Saarbrücken is staging European theatre, dance and music productions. - The European Year of Citizens
2013 is the European Year of Citizens. - Europe Day, Robert Schuman and Class 4a
Enthusiasm for the idea of Europe – in the 60th European Competition, schoolchildren from Germany show what this could look like. - Relief organizations
The portals presented here provide information on the help programs offered by different organizations.
- Analyst Predictive Maintenance
- Grid Modeling Expert - Stellenausschreibung TenneT
- Market / Business Intelligence Leader
- Contract Manager
- Dipl. Ingenieur (FH) /Techniker
- Account Manager - Academic Sales - Germany
- Application Development Engineer Nutrinova
- Berater Regulatory Affairs
- Business Process Analyst
- Channel Sales Representative
- 17/05 paid internship
- 17/05 Florida resident seeks job in baden Baden Germany
- 17/05 Berlin Writing Group
- 17/05 cheap car hire
- 15/05 Queen size bed & frame
- 15/05 Feste Stelle
- 01:24 Hit a bicyclist with my car at a crossroad
- 01:20 Using a Dutch bank account & card in Germany
- 00:50 South Africans in Munich
- 00:12 What is one of these called?
- 00:11 Deadline for German tax returns
- 23:33 Problem with foreign-registered vehicle
- 23:26 Claiming tax deductions
- 23:07 Translators' meetup, monthly networking event
- 22:55 Looking for tennis partner in Berlin
- 22:53 Sunday Night Clubbing
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!
'Charming, old, beamed cottage for holiday let in Jesus Pobre, Alicante, Spain
www.littlehouseinspain.com/
Professional and qualified consultancy on all insurance and finance matters in Germany, Telephone: +49 2163 571 1740, Email: bg@albatross-assurance.com
www.albatross-assurance.com
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.
Your comments about this article: